The term "patient engagement" lacks a clear definition, its meaning rests in the mind of person using the term. The danger for hospital leadership is very much like the danger to the hiker who loses track of his location. You may find yourself going in circles, spending limited time and resources without a noticeable improvement in patient satisfaction and ultimately being caught unprepared at nightfall. These slides provide a simple approach to create a definition of patient engagement for you and your patients.

1. Are you Lost in a Forest
of Patient Engagement?
Two words that are driving many initiatives yet there is no clear
definition for this term.
Time to create one for you and your patients…Pathfinders!

2. A Three Point Strategy for the Busy Clinical Unit
This is a three part exercise.
• Address each section over several days.
• Don’t exceed 15 minutes per section.
• Keep the brainstorming sheets hanging.
Synthesize it. Print it. Post it.
You are now pathfinders out of the confusion!

3. • What does Patient
Engagement mean to you?
5 Minute brainstorm where everyone
has opportunity to finish this
statement:
“To me patient engagement
means…”
• Write responses quickly.
• Hold comments…allow
ideas to flow.
Exercise Section 1: Ten Minutes in the Forest

4. • What are the unique
characteristics of your
population of patients?
Use brainstorming again, call out the
unique characteristics and needs of the
patients in your clinical area.
• How do you see your team
“engaging” patients based on
their uniqueness?
Exercise Section 2: Knowing Where You Are in the Forest

5. • Synthesis of your concepts with
the unique requirements of your
clinical practice.
Your definition!
 Draft the language.
 Leave the draft up for a few
days.
 Seek feedback.
 Final version…send to
Marketing and make it
pretty…post it on your unit.
Exercise Section 3: Pathfinders Through the Forest